Urban Meyer, Ohio State Head CoachOpening statement: “I’m very pleased with our performance today. I know it wasn’t perfect; and obviously that’s what you strive to be, but we’re not. Today, going against a team that was 4-1, a team that we have a lot of respect for, and athletes that can make plays, a phase that I was most pleased with was the return yards were minimal. That kickoff team, those are my guys. I might put them in first-class on the flight home. I have so much respect for those guys. I love their demeanor and how they answer challenges. I was very impressed with our coverage units. One thing that we worked hard on was the noon kickoff on the road. We put them in bed at nine o’clock last night, challenged them all week about the early kickoff, and our coaches did a good job of getting their units ready to go.”

On what was impressive about his offense today: “I have to watch the video tape, but I think I’m impressed with the fact that ever since the Virginia Tech game we are really getting that bare zero coverage. You start to see the quarterbacks, receivers and coaching staff get really excited and start making more aggressive calls. So, that’s a sign that our run game is really solid and our o-line is growing up. The bare zero coverage takes away the other team’s run game. It forces the other team to take some other shots. We’ve worked hard at it because we know what’s coming. “

On importance of a quick start in Maryland atmosphere: “It was critical and I knew that coming in. It’s not just Maryland, it’s any time you go on the road. I had never been to this stadium, it’s a very nice stadium with the students and fans right on you. But it worked out that we started on the other end to get some momentum going. I’ve had teams before with a noon kickoff that have a dull look coming out of the locker room and that wasn’t the case. I could tell they were ready to go when they got up this morning.”

On after the punt, interception, fumble recovery – “swing point” of the game: “Someday we will take away the big hits, but our defense today, I think we scored more than one today. Raekwon McMillan scored, someone else brought the ball down to the four-yard line and our offense punched it in. We are going to be more aggressive on defense with tighter coverage. There’s somewhat of a risk that we need to continue to work on with the isolated man-to-man coverage, but there’s also more opportunity to step in front of the ball like we did today.”

On the game plan during the week versus game-day play calling: “We have a lot of confidence in our quarterback and skills positions right now. It’s a very balanced offense, I’m very involved in the play calling myself with Tom Herman. There’s a lot of opportunity to make plays because we’re confident. We weren’t that way the first game because we didn’t practice like that, but now we are.”

On the road ahead: “The road is just getting tougher and tougher. We are just worried about getting better this week. It’s a bye week, I wish we were playing another one next week, our whole team wishes we playing. I’m going to just give them as many game reps as I can to show maturity.”

Quarterback J.T. BarrettOn if he was surprised of the effectiveness of the rushing attack on the opening drive: “Not exactly. I think that was just one of the things we did coming into the game. To get an early start, tempo, and things like that, but it just so happened that they were giving it to us so we were taking it.”

On the confidence he feels when a play is called: “A lot of things when you look back like that are things we go over on the sidelines before we go out there. We already have somewhat of an idea what we’re going to get into, but there’s definitely some times out there where they’ll do some things defensively and I don’t even have to look back; just with the things we do in practice, I can see the play and we’ll be alright.”

On the confidence level and growth of the offense over the last four games: “I feel like with the things that the defense present to us, we just take advantage of that. We just try to be prepared for anything and everything and so we just have to do a good job of executing. As far as myself, I’m just trying to get better during the week and not wait until game day to just react to everything. I learn the defense on Tuesday and Wednesday so come Saturday I can have that confidence and go out and play.”

On if being personally recruited by Urban Meyer plays into their relationship: “I’m not sure if that really makes that much of a difference. I think the earned confidence and trust with Coach Meyer comes with how you practice and how you prepare for things. He definitely doesn’t believe in game time players, that’s not a Coach Meyer thing. Him recruiting me as his first quarterback while he was here doesn’t have a lot to do with it; you definitely have to earn his trust through, the way you practice and the way you interact with other people.”

Linebacker Raekwon McMillanOn his first career pick-six: “It’s one of the best feelings in the world. My teammate helped me out by tipping the ball and I just took advantage of the moment.”

On the play of the defensive line: “We have one of the best, if not the best, defensive line in the nation. It really helps the linebackers out. It really clears stuff up for us.”

Wide Receiver Devin SmithOn the offenses comfort level with cover zero: “What’s good is we got out there knowing what we could do and we work extremely hard when we see those looks in practice, and we just want to execute every time we see them.”

On if he’s surprised that defenses are still giving that look: “I am. You know from last year and coming into this year we had a few chances where they went no deep and we scored. We seize the opportunity every time it happens.”